1791 Large Eagle Cent. Baker-15, Musante GW-15, W-10610. Rarity-2. Lettered Edge. AU-58 (PCGS).Glossy surfaces exhibit even reddish-copper patina on the obverse and marbled golden-brown toning to the reverse. Sharply defined and otherwise smooth, accuracy compels us to mention minor bright pink surface residue along the upper obverse and lower reverse borders. Examples of this type were struck by John and Obadiah Westwood of Birmingham, England from dies engraved by John Gregory Hancock. Some of the coins were shipped to John and Thomas Ketland in Philadelphia, who intended them to serve as a proposed national coinage for the fledgling United States. While many Washington Large Eagle cents did circulate, and some were undoubtedly presented to government officials (perhaps including President Washington himself), Congress eventually chose to issues its own copper coinage through the newly established Philadelphia Mint. Survivors remain among the more historically significant and popular Washington types with todays collectors.
